LOST IN THE CITY OF GAME PART 1️⃣

CHAPTER I In the enchanting yet perilous city of Venice, two powerful families, the Macabas and the Heddinbuns, had been locked in a bitter rivalry for generations. David and Mary Macaba were the last of the Macabas, and they bore the weight of their lineage with no children to carry it forward. One quiet evening, David voiced his despair to his wife, Mary. "Mary, we have no child of our own," he said solemnly. "After us, there will be no one to enjoy the fortune we've built, and our family line will end. What will we do?" Though reluctant to speak, Mary replied thoughtfully, "David, don’t worry. I have a plan—let’s adopt a son." David’s face twisted with disdain. "What? Adopt a child? Are you joking? No one in our family has ever adopted a child! I’d rather face ruin than adopt." Mary persisted, catching his arm. "Listen, David. If we adopt a son and tell everyone he's ours, claiming we sent him abroad for education, they’ll believe it. He’ll become part of us—no one will question his origin." David paused, then nodded. "Hmm, fine. Let’s leave tomorrow. But we’ll choose wisely—I want a boy of sixteen." "Sixteen?" Mary asked, surprised. "The Heddinbuns’ daughter is turning sixteen soon," David replied. "I want our son to match her age. This rivalry has gone on long enough. Perhaps our son will be the answer." CHAPTER II The next day, David and Mary journeyed to a remote orphanage run by an old friend of David’s. As they surveyed the children, none seemed to meet David's high expectations—until they saw a boy with a strikingly calm yet determined expression. "What's your name?" David asked. "Michael," the boy replied. "How old are you?" "Sixteen, sir." David and Mary exchanged a glance, satisfied. They spoke briefly with the orphanage director, completing the adoption of Michael. Once back in Venice, they introduced him as their long-lost son, convincing society with their story. Soon, Michael was admitted to the same school as Hannah Heddinbun, marking the start of a new chapter in the lives of both families. CHAPTER III Despite their families’ rivalry, Michael and Hannah felt an inexplicable connection. Their secret friendship soon blossomed into something deeper, though both kept their growing affection hidden. They confided in their closest friends, Jonathan and Leslie, and planned to reveal their feelings during a school trip to an exhibition. CHAPTER IV The exhibition took place at a grand museum. As they explored, Michael was determined to confess his love to Hannah. Grouped together, they entered a section called "The Lost City of Game." Standing before a mysterious box, Michael’s friend Jonathan urged him, "Mike, tell Hannah how you feel!" Michael nodded, gathering courage. Meanwhile, Hannah’s friend Leslie was encouraging her to do the same. Just then, a blinding light burst from the box, pulling all four of them inside. They screamed, clinging to one another, as they spiraled into the unknown. When they opened their eyes, an old man in a blue gown stood before them, holding a wooden staff. "Welcome to the Lost City of Game," he declared. "No one leaves here without playing." After a quick discussion, they reluctantly agreed, each determined to survive the game. CHAPTER V The old man instructed them to enter a room one at a time, choosing their favorite color. When they emerged, each wore a unique outfit that reflected their color. Mike wore black, Hannah wore pink, Jonathan wore brown, and Leslie wore violet. The old man gave them new titles: Black Gamer, Pink Gamer, Brown Gamer, and Violet Gamer. CHAPTER VI "The game has three levels," the old man warned. "In the first, you must cross the Demon Village. The second requires retrieving the Star Key, and in the third, you must face the Flying Witches. Only then can you escape." The group looked at each other, a mix of excitement and trepidation on their faces. But they were united and ready for the challenges ahead. CHAPTER VII The scenery shifted, revealing a desolate village marked "The Demon Village." Jonathan, trying to lighten the mood, said, "We'll cross this place in no time." But as they approached, hundreds of grotesque demons charged toward them. They scrambled into a nearby cave, breathing heavily, their hearts racing. A voice echoed around them. "Hello, new gamers. My name is Inholo, your guide. Look to your right." They turned and saw four sticks, each matching their color. "These sticks can transform into any weapon you wish and are indestructible." Testing the sticks, they felt a surge of confidence. When night fell, they ventured into the village, their sticks now flaming swords. But as they fought the demons, the sheer number overwhelmed them. "Step back, everyone!" Mike shouted, and he transformed his stick into a large g*n. With rapid fire, he managed to take down most of the demons, allowing them to push through. They emerged victorious, yet exhausted. Inholo appeared, signaling the way to the second level. CHAPTER VIII Ahead of them lay a gate labeled "Level 2." Inholo explained that they would encounter an old man who would guide them to the Hall of Stars, where the Star Key awaited. But the rules were strict: they must not turn back or speak negatively, lest they summon the terrifying Medusa. As they entered, the ominous name “Medusa” hung over them, instilling fear. Michael noticed Hannah’s pale expression and took her hand. "Don't worry. We’re in this together." Hannah managed a shaky smile. "Thank you, Mike." Inholo departed, and they opened the gate, beginning their journey to the Hall of Stars. CHAPTER IX The man in white led them toward a majestic hall filled with shining stars. His voice was stern as he reiterated the rules. Breaking them, he warned, would awaken Medusa, a creature who could turn them to stone with a single glance. CHAPTER X Upon reaching the Hall of Stars, they found the Star Key encased in a crystal box. In his excitement, Jonathan raised his stick, accidentally striking the ceiling. The hall shook, and Leslie, terrified, let out a shriek. Suddenly, the room grew silent. They turned to see a woman with snakes for hair and a sinister, greenish hue. “Medusa…” Hannah whispered, frozen in terror. CHAPTER XI "Indeed," Medusa hissed. "And now, you are mine!" With a sinister laugh, she unleashed fiery arrows. Mike sprang into action, deflecting the arrows with his stick, but one massive arrow struck him, flinging him into a hidden room filled with ancient books. Disoriented, Mike looked through a window, horrified to see Medusa turning his friends into stone. He sank to the floor, devastated, until his eyes fell upon a shining book in the lowest rack. Opening it, he discovered the story of the Lost City of Game and learned that Medusa could only be defeated by a weapon forged by the god Vulcan. CHAPTER XII Armed with new knowledge, Mike transformed his stick into Vulcan’s hooked weapon. Bursting from the room, he confronted Medusa, shouting her name to startle her. She whirled around, but before she could react, he charged forward, beheading her. A flash of light burst from the Star Key, reviving his friends, and they hugged each other tightly. They pressed the Star Key’s largest star and were instantly transported out of Level 2, where Inholo awaited them. CHAPTER XV Inholo smiled as they approached. "Well done. I knew you’d succeed." They rested in tents, and after a much-needed sleep, Inholo served them mushroom soup and shared details of the final level. They would face the Queen of Witches, whose power resided in her shadow, making her nearly invincible. --- CHAPTER XVI As they prepared to face the Queen of Witches, Inholo pulled Mike aside, his voice uncharacteristically serious. “Mike, there’s something you must know. Not all of you can survive this final level.” “What do you mean?” Mike demanded. Inholo hesitated. “Only one of you can truly leave this place. It’s a sacrifice the game demands.” Stunned, Mike glanced back at his friends, their faces full of excitement and determination. How could he choose? What did this mean for him and Hannah? A deep rumble shook the ground. The Queen of Witches was approaching, her shadow stretching ominously before her. “Ready yourselves!” Inholo shouted. The friends transformed their sticks into weapons, each casting nervous glances at one another. The Queen’s laughter filled the air as she unleashed dark spells and summoned creatures from the shadows. The four fought valiantly, but the Queen was relentless. Jonathan and Leslie were ensnared in shadowy vines, leaving Mike and Hannah to face the Queen alone. “Mike, there’s something I have to tell you,” Hannah gasped, struggling to block a fiery spell. “I know,” Mike said, looking into her eyes. “I love you too.” With newfound strength, they coordinated their attacks. Mike wielded Vulcan’s hooked weapon while Hannah shielded him with her transformed stick, a brilliant silver shield that deflected the Queen’s attacks. The Queen of Witches sneered at them, her eyes glinting with malice as she raised her hands to unleash a spell that could turn their very bones to ash. As the spell surged toward them, Hannah deflected it with her shield, buying Mike enough time to charge forward with Vulcan's weapon. But just as he was about to strike, the Queen's shadow split into a dozen shadowy replicas, each one mirroring her exact movements. "There's no end to my power here!" the Queen laughed, her voice echoing ominously. Mike and Hannah fought side by side, slashing through the shadow replicas, but they reappeared as quickly as they were struck down. As the Queen closed in on them, her laughter grew louder, and she unleashed waves of shadowy serpents that coiled around Hannah, pulling her to the ground. "No!" Mike shouted, frantically swinging his weapon to cut through the shadows, but they only reformed, holding Hannah tighter. “Mike! You have to stop her,” Hannah gasped, struggling against the serpents. "You’re the only one who can defeat her!" A painful realization settled over Mike—this was the sacrifice Inholo had warned him about. One of them would have to give up their chance of survival to ensure the other’s victory. Hannah’s pleading eyes met his, and he knew what he had to do. “No, Hannah,” Mike said, his voice choked with emotion. “We’re in this together. I’m not leaving you behind.” Summoning every ounce of his courage, he reached into his heart, willing the weapon in his hand to transform into something even more powerful—a blade so sharp and radiant that it cut through the Queen’s shadows, making her stumble back in surprise. The light from his weapon intensified, filling the room with a blinding brilliance that dissolved the shadows and weakened the Queen. “Now, Hannah!” Mike shouted. “Strike her shadow!” Hannah, still bound, managed to focus her stick into a dagger, throwing it with all her might. The dagger struck the Queen’s shadow, and a terrible scream filled the air as the Queen of Witches collapsed to the ground, her power fading as her shadow shattered into nothingness. With the Queen defeated, the shadowy vines holding Hannah disappeared, freeing her. She stumbled to her feet, rushing to Mike, who had collapsed from the effort. “You did it, Mike,” she whispered, tears in her eyes. “We’re free.” But before they could celebrate, Inholo reappeared, his face somber. “The sacrifice must be fulfilled. Only one of you can truly leave the City of Game. The rules cannot be broken.” They looked at each other, stunned, realizing the full weight of Inholo’s words. “No,” Mike said, shaking his head. “There must be another way.” Inholo sighed. “If you are willing, there is one alternative.” “What is it?” Hannah asked, desperate for any solution. Inholo’s eyes softened. “One of you may offer to stay behind, becoming the next guide of the City of Game. But it will mean remaining here forever.” Silence fell over them. Mike looked at Hannah, seeing the pain and longing in her eyes, the life they had dreamed of living together slipping through their fingers. “I’ll stay,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “No!” Hannah cried, grabbing his hand. “I won’t let you do this, Mike.” “Listen to me, Hannah.” He held her hand tightly. “You have a future—a life waiting for you. I’m just… grateful to have been part of your world, even if only for a little while.” Tears streamed down her face. “This isn’t fair. We didn’t come all this way for it to end like this.” But Inholo held up a hand, a gentle sadness in his eyes. “It is not the end, young one. Those who choose to stay behind are not forgotten. Their legacy lives on, protecting and guiding the souls who come after.” Mike nodded, accepting his fate, and slowly released Hannah’s hand. She clutched it desperately, her heart breaking as she whispered, “I’ll never forget you, Mike.” Inholo gestured, and a glowing portal appeared, signaling the way out. With one last look, Hannah stepped into the portal, her tear-streaked face turned toward Mike until he faded from view. --- EPILOGUE Days passed, and Hannah returned to her life, but she never truly left the City of Game behind. She visited the museum often, finding herself drawn to the box that had started it all. And though her heart ached, she felt a strange peace, knowing that somewhere, Mike watched over the Lost City of Game, guiding the next brave souls who dared to enter. One evening, while sitting by the river, Hannah felt a gentle breeze, as though someone were standing beside her. She closed her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek, and whispered, "I’ll never forget you, Mike." In the quiet of the Lost City, Mike smiled, watching over her, forever her guardian in the world they had fought to escape. THE END